53-118. Appointment, refusal or revocation; grounds. (a) The secretary of state may refuse to appoint any person as a notary public or may revoke the appointment of any notary public upon any of the following grounds:

(1) Substantial or material misstatement or omission in the application submitted to the secretary of state;

(2) conviction of a felony or of a lesser offense involving moral turpitude or of a nature incompatible with the duties of a notary public. A conviction after a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this subsection;

(3) revocation, suspension or denial of a professional license, if such revocation, suspension or denial was for misconduct, dishonesty or any cause substantially relating to the duties or responsibilities of a notary public;

(4) cessation of United States citizenship;

(5) incapacitation to such a degree that the person is incapable of reading or writing the English language;

(6) failure to exercise the powers and duties of a notary public in accordance with this act; or

(7) violation of K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 53-121, and amendments thereto.

(b) Any person whose notary public appointment has been removed pursuant to subsection (a)(1) through (a)(6) may not apply for an appointment until the expiration of four years from the date of removal of such appointment. Any person whose notary public appointment has been removed pursuant to subsection (a)(7) may not apply or receive an appointment for such person's lifetime.

History: L. 1980, ch. 159, § 11; L. 2006, ch. 14, § 2; July 1.